Treating Teen Depression
Ways to Help Your Child Cope with Sadness
Depression is a serious mental health disorder that affects 1 in 20 teenagers. Teenages are known for being moody, but teen depression goes deeper than that. It can linger for long periods and recur again and again. Depression causes persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities. Depression can affect any teen and is often linked to other mental health disorders, such as anxiety. Depression can lead to many problems including, running away, low self-esteem,and reckless behavior.
If you think your teen may be depressed, there are a few things you can do to help.
Encourage your teens to open up and talk about their feelings by creating a safe space: Teens should never feel afraid to talk to their parents. Don’t criticize or threaten. Allow your kids to have whatever thoughts or feelings they may have and help them to express those thoughts and feelings in constructive and appropriate ways. Don’t talk over your teen. Let your teen say what he or she needs to say first before putting in your two cents. If your teen doesn’t feel comfortable talking, encourage him or her to keep a journal. Writing every day is good for a myriad of reasons, but it can also help kids deal with their worries and other feelings.
Teach your kids stress management strategies: High school is a difficult time. Kids are faced with increased school pressure, the looming college decision, many clubs, activities, and responsibilities, and challenging relationships. Teens are young, and as much as they might like to believe, they don’t have it all figured out. Talk to your kids about coping strategies for dealing with the many stressors in their lives. Something as simple as taking deep breaths before a test can help to alleviate some of the minor stress that your teen faces every day. Download a meditation app on your phone. Make meditating a nightly activity for the whole family so your teen doesn’t feel different or like an outcast. Meditating is a great way for everyone to relax.
If the depression is persistent, it might be time to seek outside help. Bring your teen to see a psychologist that specializes in teen depression.
Image by RelaxingMusic on Flickr Creative Commons.